Spokane (WA) Mead athlete Danny Mattingly was a coveted recruit from the class of 2013. Originally committing to Notre Dame in June, he began having second thoughts and reopened his recruitment at the end of November.

Earlier this week the 6-foot-5, 225-pound prep star gave Chip Kelly and the Ducks an early Christmas present when he told the Oregon staff he would play for them next year.

Rivals Southwest Analyst Jason Howell caught up with Mattingly in Houston on Wednesday as some of the nation's top recruits converged for the Offense-Defense Bowl. The first subject of discussion was the obvious question: Why did he pick the Ducks?